A simple misstatement by Mexico’s security chief has caused an unexpected diplomatic stir with El Salvador.
On Tuesday, Mexican Security Minister Omar Garcรญa Harfuch reported that a small plane carrying 428 kilograms of cocaine had flown into Mexico from El Salvador. The announcement was made during a press briefing with President Claudia Sheinbaum.
But Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele quickly pushed back, calling the claim “FALSE.” He posted flight tracking data showing the plane had not flown through El Salvador’s airspace, but was instead detected far offshore over the Pacific Ocean.
Bukele emphasized that the three suspects arrested when the plane landed in Tecomรกn, Colima, were all Mexican Nationals. He added that El Salvador “does not protect criminals or tolerate drug trafficking.”
The Salvadoran leader demanded a correction from Mexico and temporarily recalled his ambassador for consultations.
Later that day, Garcรญa Harfuch clarified that the aircraft was first detected 200 kilometers south of San Salvador, not inside Salvadoran airspace, and that it never originated in El Salvador.
While the correction softened tensions, Bukele remained dissatisfied, insisting the clarification didn’t go far enough. He stressed again that there was no evidence linking El Salvador to the drug flight and called for a more precise statement from Mexico.
As of Thursday afternoon, no further public comments had been made by Mexican officials.
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